Direct support professionals deserve praise

Kreider Services joins communities across the nation celebrating National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week Sept. 8-14. The U.S. Senate recognizes direct support professionals for the quality supports they provide to millions of Americans with disabilities.

This work force is known by a variety of names: direct service workers, direct care workers, home health aides, and long-term care aides. No matter how you refer to these compassionate, health care professionals, they offer a wide range of supportive services on a daily basis so individuals with developmental and other types of disabilities can live and work in their communities.

Among the services these workers provide are habilitation, health needs, personal care, employment training, transportation, recreation, housekeeping, and other home management-related needs.

Direct support professionals promote independence and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. We recognize them for the immeasurable difference they make each day in the lives of people with disabilities.

America’s need for this level of support is increasing at a dramatic pace. Kreider Services hires nearly 300 direct support professionals in its programs. Nationally, there’s an estimated 464,000 of them working in community residential settings. Another 40,000 work in nursing homes. And yet another 161,000 work with our aging population and the elderly.

It’s estimated the number of people with disabilities in need of residential, in-home and day supports (4.3 million) will increase by 38 percent between 2030 and 2040 – this represents an additional 1 million to 1.4 million individuals.

People with disabilities who receive our services live happier, healthier, more independent and secure lives. Kreider Services offers programs for its 500-plus clients ranging in age from birth to 93 years old and has 27 living facilities in Dixon, Rock Falls, Amboy, Franklin Grove, Ashton, Stockton and Galena.

For information on all Kreider services or volunteer opportunities, please visit www.kreiderservices.org or call the main office at 500 Anchor Road in Dixon at 815-288-6691.

Note to readers: Becky Reilly is the marketing coordinator for Kreider Services.